Sui dynasty

The Sui dynasty (581-618) was a short-lived Chinese dynasty that lasted for only three emperors. It reunited the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and it was destroyed by the Turks and replaced by the Tang dynasty.

History
The Sui dynasty's first emperor was Emperor Wen of Sui, who was the father-in-law of Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou. Emperor Wen seized power for himself after defeating general Yuchi Jiong, and Sui was ruled by the Han Chinese. The Sui dynasty was best-known for finishing the Grand Canal, facilitating communication and trade between the north and south, spanning 1,100 miles. The Sui also expanded upon the Great Wall of China, and the Sui extended their military ambition to Korea and Vietnam. The Sui also expanded into Inner Asia, but their wars required manpower, livestock, wood, iron, and food, which were already being used for extensive public works. As a result, the Sui were defeated by the Korean dynasty of Goguryeo, and Emperor Yang of Sui was assassinated in 618 CE as a result. That same year, the powerful Li family of Li Shimin rebelled and founded the Tang dynasty, replacing the weaker Sui.